Our silence makes us complicit in the abuse

IT WAS chance that raised my attention to the editorial “Women abuse: don’t look the other way” (POST, March 13 to 17) with which I find common cause.

I am not going to refer to the appalling statistics of the silent epidemic that society deals with in mostly hushed whispers. By the time you have finished reading this letter, 10 women would have become victims.

Are your readers aware that silence or condoning violence by looking away, ostensibly “minding their own business”, makes them complicit in the crime and, I would argue, even accessories to the crime. In other words, neighbours or even teachers or doctors are legally duty bound to report such incidents, even if they’re based only on suspicion. There is a hotline, I believe, set up for that purpose.

President Cyril Ramaphosa hinted at strong action against the perpetrators of gender-based violence and by extension, women abuse.

I am shocked when I read reports of abuse of women and children.

How has it come to pass that our religious leaders would not take the lead and condemn this in the strongest terms? Women deserve better.

I concur with your editorial that society cannot afford to look on silently or worse still, look away.

Not in my name. I urge victims of abuse to be brave and name their abusers with hard evidence so that we will know for sure and take legal action.

Not in my name. I do not look away. But be brave provide evidence and name the perpetrator. SABER AHMED JAZBHAY Newlands West